CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
& LIVING

AMAZING PEACE IN TROUBLED TIMES - a book of practical steps by George Foster

Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With A Mission, describes George Foster as "a gentle giant, a leader in missions, author, speaker, and a man of God." This book Amazing Peace in Troubled Times certainly reflects all these characteristics. A short book with profound and effective counseling for all of us!

The book is published by Servant Books, England, and is available in all leading Christian bookstores and through AMAZON.COM. You can get copies also from the author George Foster, 6820 Auto Club Road, Suite C, Bloomington, MN 55438, george.foster@bethanyinternational.org.

THE CONTENTS OF THE BOOK

The book is divied into nine brief chapters with an appendix. The titles given to the chapters truly reflect their contents.

1. When the Storms of Life Are Raging
2. Make a Choice to Rejoice!
3. Make up Your Mind to Be Kind
4. Don't Sweat. Don't Fret. Don't Get Upset
5. Make a Way to Pray Every Day
6. Make Gratitude Your Attitude
7. Let Higher Thinking Keep You from Sinking
8. Don't Lose It. Don't Abuse It. Don't Fail to Use It!
9. Increase Your Peace

The Appendix is appropriately titled "God will Establish His Kingdom of Peace." Note the emphasis will! Without that assurance we are nowhere! And our God is a God who keeps His promises!

NEW INSIGHTS ON CHRISTIAN LIVING

George Foster is a life-long missionary to Brazil. He is also a life-long evangelist. His understanding of the Word of God is always edifying to those who come across him. He has brought thousands of people to Christ. In this excellent book, he speaks to us directly and helps us build our peace in His understanding.

Look at this approach of George Foster. He writes, "In speaking about worry, Jesus did not suggest indifference, denial, or mere positive thinking" (p. 35). George encourages us to "Replace Worry with Better Reasoning." Faith based on appropriate reasoning.

Talk yourself out of worry. Give yourself truth to stand on. Accept God's invitation, 'Come now, let us reason together' (Isaiah 1:18). Do your worries make sense? Test them against God's Word and share them with trusted friends. Unless they ring true, refuse to gived them any more space in your life! (pp. 37-38)

WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES?

George wants us to look "the order of priorities in the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. Look at the difference between the first three requests and the second three:"

George points out,

The first three requests concern God's purposes and require our action. We are to hallow His name, extend His kingdom, and do His will. The second three requests concern our needs and require God's action. His purposes, our needs: that's the order God wants to see in our lives. (p. 36)

What is the practical implication here? George's prayerful understanding is,

Many of our worries persist beczause we do not czare for the interests, as we should, so we wonder if we have the right to ask Him to care for our needs. We forget that the Christian life is not about us; it's about Him! When we seek Him above other things, we don't find it hard to believe the encouraging words of Paul: "... my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (p. 36).

GIVE UP THE RIGHT TO BE RIGHT!

Our author who is a life-long missionary and evangelist to Brazil, has something to say to us for us in affluent countries.

Too often we insist on having the last word on every issue. We see ourselves as champions of truth, but often it's only our insistence to get our own way. When we've won the argument, what's the prize? To be seen as smarter, stronger, and more self-assured than others? Is it worth it?

A Brazilian statesman, Rui Barbosa, once said, "He who does not fight for his rights is not worthy of them." barbosa's words may be appropriate in a nation's struggle for freedom or justice for all races and classes of people. But when we're fighting for self-promotion, fulfillment, supremacy, the superiority of our ideas, or just to get what we want - we're engaged in a battle in which there is no winner. (p.31)

INFORMATION OR TRANSFORMATION?

In this information age, it important for us to ask the question as to whether we should information or transformation. Information is important, but when information does not lead to transformation, what great benefit do we get from information? Knowing is not as good as transforming oneself with and through that knowledge. Through manyh years of missionary and evangelistic work among hundreds of people groups around the world, George Foster comes to the conclusion,

It takes courage and determination to put God's Word into practice, but it's worth the effort. The more you obey, the more you want to obey. The more determination you exercise, the stronger you become. Speak and act with determination: I will rejoice. I will be gentle. I will not worry. I will pray. I will give thanks. I will think higher thoughts. I will be positive. I will trust God. God will help me do what I need to do!

TO CONCLUDE

This book "opens modern windows of understanding on the ancient truths of God's Word. He [George Foster] leads the reader to Jesus, our safe haven in every storm, the 'Prince of Peace.'" (Loren Cunningham)

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